British troops root out Baath chiefs

OUTSIDE BASRA, Iraq -- Seeking to break the government's grip in southern Iraq, British troops raided villages surrounding Basra early Saturday and apprehended 14 people considered to be key Baath Party and militia leaders who had been intimidating residents and forcing them to remain loyal to President Saddam Hussein.

Since British troops arrived in this area two weeks ago, lingering fear of government and Baath Party retribution has been a significant factor in the resistance mounted by army regulars and militia members. Not only has it encouraged the city of 1.3 million to stick with the Baath authorities, it has helped block the popular welcome U.S. and British forces had expected in outlying areas and stymied efforts to restore basic services and allow residents to resume a normal life.

Capt. Nader Anabtawi, commander of the Milan platoon of the First Fusiliers, said the arrests Saturday morning "were designed to send a very, very clear message," which was that the British forces on the ground "will be here for some time."

The 14 suspects, seen being transported in the back of British military trucks with canvas hoods over their heads, were being interrogated, Anabtawi said. He said all 14 had been pointed out by local Iraqis.

This corner of southeastern Iraq -- from the Kuwaiti border to Iraq's second-largest city, Basra -- has seen some return to normal life since the war began March 20 and U.S. Marines and British troops occupied the area.

Markets have reopened in towns, including the port of Umm Qasr on the Persian Gulf and the crossroads at Zubair, 10 miles south of Basra. More traffic plies the roads and highways. Farmers pick tomatoes in the fields. The sight of British soldiers manning checkpoints no longer attracts the curious stares of children.

But there is still a pervasive climate of fear, residents and British soldiers stationed here say. Residents see that in towns and villages around Basra, the Baath Party officials who held sway for decades are no longer in power. But they are still here. They listen at the edges of crowds. They watch. And, residents fear, they are waiting.

Waiting for the British troops to leave. Waiting for the one day when they will be able to return to power, and to punish those here whom they consider collaborators with the foreign invaders.

The fear is compounded by the continued control of the Baath Party and Saddam's Fedayeen militia in the region's largest and most important city, and because Saddam, despite U.S. battlefield advances, remains in power in Baghdad.

A village physician, for instance, leaned into a car window and spoke in an urgent, hushed tone recently to a passing reporter, his eyes pleading. "Please, forget about me," he whispered as a crowd pressed in, trying to listen. "Don't ever come here asking for me again. I am asking you, please."

In the village of Mushirij, about five miles southwest of Basra, a 25-year-old student named Aziz Hamdani -- he allowed his name to be used -- explained why people still live in a climate of fear and intimidation. "Everyone is afraid. Of the militia," he said. "They have eyes. They film everywhere. And they send the film to the authorities in Baghdad."

Asked how many militia members and Baath Party leaders are still around, his voice fell to a whisper. "Many," Hamdani said. "They are very dangerous. They are followers of the president here." he said. "If he goes, they all will disappear."